PHOTOS: Alpha Genesis Veterinary Insider Provides New Evidence of Cruelty, Neglect

For Immediate Release:
December 10, 2024

Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382

PETA has filed extensive complaints, including 270 pages of never-before-released evidence and exhibits, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Institutes of Health (NIH) urging the agencies to investigate alleged violations of federal law at Alpha Genesis, Inc. after a whistleblower familiar with the veterinary division of the company shared emails, reports, and photographs that appear to document widespread cruelty, negligence, and incompetence at the facility.

Alpha Genesis is the animal experimentation facility, breeder, and dealer from which 43 monkeys escaped last month. Soon after, other insiders alleged that at least 20 other monkeys died of hyperthermia when a diesel heater malfunction. Alpha Genesis currently holds $19 million in NIH contracts.

The new evidence shows that between 2021-2023, monkeys endured excruciating, traumatic injuries, were denied essential veterinary care, and were confined to areas teeming with pathogens. Records show that monkeys were found dead in their enclosures from trauma, extreme temperatures, unsafe conditions, and undiagnosed health problems. One monkey was found dead of apparent hypothermia and dehydration after her head became stuck in a chain link fence. Another monkey evidently suffocated to death after being trapped under other monkeys and an infant monkey died after getting caught in a slide bolt lock.

Numerous monkeys also reportedly suffered injuries from staff negligence and conflicts with other monkeys, and records show an alarming number of monkeys whose tails, fingers, or tongues were partially or completely severed. Monkeys also reportedly suffered from chronic malnutrition or neglect.

Veterinary records at Alpha Genesis indicate that monkeys died infected with zoonotic pathogens including Shigella and Campylobacter. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control requires that these pathogens be reported, but according to the whistleblower, the company failed to do so.

“NIH officials appear to be stunningly ignorant about where they’re dumping millions of tax dollars,” says PETA primate scientist Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel. “The evidence shows that Alpha Genesis has no regard for the law, the public, and the animals they use. It should be shut down now and the monkeys sent to sanctuaries.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. PETA’s Research Modernization Deal offers a roadmap for ending cruel and pointless experiments on animals and transitioning to human-relevant research methods. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.